Twins' Byron Buxton begins rehab assignment; No. 3 prospect promoted to Triple-A

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is beginning his rehab assignment and the organization also called up No. 3 prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Buxton has been dealing with right hip inflammation that forced him out of a game against the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 12. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 15.

The 30-year-old is hitting .275/.334/.528 with an OPS of .862 this season in 90 games.

Austin Martin has filled in at center while Buxton has been out. Willi Castro is expected to take Martin's place in the outfield after Brooks Lee was activated from the injured list this weekend.

Related: Twins activate Brooks Lee, send Manuel Margot to IL

Both Buxton and Rodriguez are in the lineup for the Saints Monday afternoon.

The Twins' No. 3 prospect Rodriguez — and MLB's No. 21 overall prospect — only played 37 games at Double-A Wichita due to injuries but he's getting the call-up to Triple-A on Monday.

He returned to the field last week after missing extensive time for wrist/hand injuries.

Related: Twins prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez returns to field after extensive absence

The 21-year-old slashed a hitting line of .298/.479/.621 with an OPS of 1.100 in 167 plate appearances. Nearly 60% of his hits have gone for extra bases (22 of 37). He's also scored 40 runs.

It would come to no one's surprise if Rodriguez reaches the Major League roster next season.

The Twins (74-62) begin a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (67-69) at Tropicana Field Monday night. Rooke right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (5-3, 3.85 ERA) takes the mound for Minnesota as former Twin Zack Littell (5-8, 3.89 ERA) will do the same for Tampa Bay. First pitch is scheduled for 5:50 p.m.